GRDC offering conference support to organisations

The GRDC recognises that capacity building through conference support funding is a long-term investment in the grains industry’s most important asset – its people.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is continuing to support organisations which conduct conferences that directly benefit the Australian grains industry.

The GRDC offers two rounds of funding annually – July and January – to assist numerous and varied organisations which aim to inform and up-skill grains industry stakeholders.

Applications for support through the next round of funding close on July 31, 2018.

GRDC Head of Corporate Affairs, Kylie Dunstan, says the GRDC has supported a broad range of events, including precision agriculture symposiums, fertiliser and milling forums, sustainable food summits and cereal chemistry conferences over a number of years.

“The GRDC recognises that capacity building through conference support funding is a long-term investment in the grains industry’s most important asset – its people,” Ms Dunstan says.

“Conferences are run by passionate people dedicated to improving the knowledge base and uptake of information right across the agricultural landscape, and it’s rewarding as an organisation to be able to support the people who deliver that value ultimately to growers.”

Ms Dunstan says active grassroots engagement through conferences is one of the key conduits of information flow between researchers, service providers, advisers and growers.

“Exposure to new ideas and ready access to experts through targeted events are powerful influencers of practice change, and align well with GRDC’s mission statement of investing in research, development and extension to drive enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.”

Support is being offered for conferences that are held in Australia and overseas, provided they can demonstrate value to the Australian grains industry.

Organisations applying for support must intend to hold the conference or event no less than eight weeks and no more than two years from the date of close of applications.

Conference support applicants have until 5pm AEST on July 31 to submit applications to the GRDC.